Lindsey Vonn’s return to competitive skiing at 40 was meant to be a triumphant comeback. With 82 World Cup victories and a storied career, she expected to be welcomed back with admiration. Instead, she faced harsh skepticism. Two-time Olympic champion Michaela Dorfmeister delivered particularly scathing remarks on Austrian television, questioning whether Vonn was endangering herself and even suggesting she seek psychological help. It wasn’t the response Vonn had hoped for, but she refused to let criticism define her.
On March 23, Vonn silenced the doubters with an incredible performance at the World Cup Super-G finals in Sun Valley, Idaho. She secured second place, finishing just 1.29 seconds behind Swiss skiing powerhouse Lara Gut-Behrami. This marked her first podium finish since her return. However, the road to that moment was anything but smooth.
Overcoming Setbacks and Pushing Through Adversity
Vonn’s journey back to elite competition was filled with challenges. She struggled to adjust to her equipment, made uncharacteristic mistakes, and endured a brutal crash during a training run at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in January. On top of that, she carried the weight of multiple surgeries from her 15-year World Cup career, not to mention the relentless skepticism from critics.
But all of that changed when she crossed the finish line in Sun Valley. Overcome with emotion, she broke down in tears, reflecting on the significance of the moment.
“I’m passionate about what I do. I love skiing. That’s why I’m here,” she said. “When you love something and work hard at it, it feels really good when you’re finally rewarded. It was joy. It was relief. It was satisfaction in the fact that this adventure I set myself on is worth something.”
A Personal Victory Beyond the Podium
While standing on the podium again was a huge achievement, Vonn’s biggest victory came in an unexpected way—her right knee, which had troubled her for years, held up perfectly. After undergoing knee replacement surgery, she was amazed by how strong it felt during high-intensity skiing. For the first time in years, she didn’t need ice packs or constant treatment. Simply being able to ski without unbearable pain was a win in itself.
However, her challenges weren’t just physical. She admitted that this season had been mentally taxing. “It wasn’t about how I was physically this year,” she said. “It was just that I couldn’t put all the pieces together in one run.” The constant negativity and doubts from others made it even harder to stay motivated.
“This year has just been really up and down, and it’s been hard to stay positive sometimes, especially because people are telling me that I should just quit—again,” she revealed. But quitting isn’t in her nature.
Chasing One Last Olympic Dream
Vonn’s decision to return wasn’t just about seeking another adrenaline rush—it was about ending her career on her own terms. After initially retiring in 2019 due to knee injuries, she shocked the sports world by announcing her comeback, with one clear goal in mind: competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
If she achieves this, it will mark her fifth Olympic appearance, joining an elite group of athletes with such longevity in the sport. Having already competed in the 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2018 Games, she has three Olympic medals to her name, including a legendary downhill gold from Vancouver 2010.
However, this comeback isn’t just about chasing more medals. For Vonn, it’s about proving she still belongs, showing that her passion for skiing hasn’t faded, and demonstrating that she can still compete at the highest level.
Her journey won’t be easy, but her recent podium finish in Sun Valley is proof that her Olympic dream is still alive.
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